From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised concerns over the negative impacts of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) against women, particularly those living with disabilities.
It stated that the self-esteem of some women who have been victims of SGBV has been significantly affected, with some still struggling to recover from the trauma, highlighting the urgent need for collective action against perpetrators of SGBV.
NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, voiced these concerns at a high-level policy dialogue to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in Abuja on Wednesday, under the theme “Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Bello highlighted that NAPTIP has made significant progress in the fight against SGBV, with some successes in arrests, prosecutions, and convictions. Since 2015, when NAPTIP was mandated to enforce the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in the FCT, the agency has remained committed to ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind in the fight for a life free from violence.
“As a nation, we have made commendable strides in policy formulation, legislation, and advocacy, but much remains to be done to eradicate this menace. For instance, NAPTIP has secured 692 convictions for traffickers and 27 for perpetrators of GBV, ensuring that justice is served,” she said.
“In the same vein, NAPTIP has rescued over 23,900 victims of human trafficking and GBV through the collective efforts of key stakeholders. We have employed strategic approaches that embrace professionalism, inclusivity, and gender responsiveness.”
Bello stressed that these achievements underline NAPTIP’s commitment to creating a safer and more equitable society, particularly for women and girls in Nigeria. “These efforts have not only provided immediate support to victims but also contributed to long-term systemic changes to prevent SGBV.”
She explained that the high-level dialogue provides an invaluable platform to reassess strategies, foster collaborations, and ensure that policies are effectively implemented and monitored. “It’s also an opportunity to amplify the voices of survivors, engage policymakers, and inspire every stakeholder to act decisively. We cannot do it alone. We need every hand on deck to move our shared vision into reality,” she added.
In her goodwill message, the President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, emphasised that violence against women and girls remains a global challenge. She called for a sustained commitment to addressing and eradicating the violation of human rights.
“As we reflect on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which is said to be the most comprehensive and transformative global agenda for the empowerment of women and girls, it is evident that much progress has been made. However, as we mark this significant milestone, we are also reminded that there is still much work to be done,” Musa said.
She also highlighted that DEPOWA has been at the forefront of advocacy and enlightenment programmes aimed at empowering women and youth, promoting awareness on gender-based violence, and providing women with skills acquisition opportunities.
Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Danilo Campisi, called for an end to violence against women and girls, stressing that this was a clarion call for all.
“We cannot afford to stand still or on the fence. We need action, not words, resources, or empty promises. Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. For many women, home—a place that should be a sanctuary—becomes a site of unimaginable harm,” Campisi said.
“In 2023, over 60% of women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members. These staggering statistics, provided by UNODC and UN Women, remind us why we must unite to address the epidemic of violence against women and girls.”
Representatives from Sight Savers, ROLAC, ALGON, and several other partners renewed their commitment to ending SGBV in Nigeria and beyond.